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Details
NICOLAUS COPERNICUS (1473-1543)
De revolutionibus orbium coelestium. Basel: ex officina Henricpetrina, September 1566. 2° (285 x 193mm). Woodcut publisher's device on title, variant device on Gg6v. Woodcut diagrams and letterpress tables in the text, woodcut initials. (Scattered light spotting and occasional browning, some unobtrusive and skilfully-repaired marginal worming, title corroded by an early inscription and skilfully repaired.) Calf gilt by Canapé dated 1908 on the turn-in of the lower board, the boards panelled in gilt, the spine gilt in compartments, gilt morocco lettering-piece in one, gilt board edges and turn-ins, gilt edges (a few scuff-marks, slight superficial cracking on joints).
SECOND EDITION OF COPERNICUS'S 'DECLARATION OF THE HERETICAL NEW HELIOCENTRIC THEORY OF OUR PLANETARY SYSTEM, WHICH REVOLUTIONISED ASTRONOMY ... probably the most important scientific publication of the sixteenth century' (Grolier Science 18b, 1543 edition). De revolutionibus was first published in Nuremberg in 1543; only one other edition--the present--was published in the seventeenth century. The work 'advances the heliocentric hypothesis presenting the sun as the centre of the universe, and with amendments re-states the theory of Ptolemy. Copernicus failed to realize, however, that the orbits of the planets are not circular in their course, but elliptical. He cited the diurnal rotation of the earth (known to Anaximander in the sixth century B.C.) as having a sidewise motion; he encroached upon the realm that theology has assigned to Heaven; and by presenting the sun as the focal point of the planetary system, he contradicted the theological belief that the earth was the centre of God's universe' (Stillwell Awakening 47, 1543 edition). Adams C-2603; Brunet II, col. 257; Houzeau and Lancaster 2503.
De revolutionibus orbium coelestium. Basel: ex officina Henricpetrina, September 1566. 2° (285 x 193mm). Woodcut publisher's device on title, variant device on Gg6v. Woodcut diagrams and letterpress tables in the text, woodcut initials. (Scattered light spotting and occasional browning, some unobtrusive and skilfully-repaired marginal worming, title corroded by an early inscription and skilfully repaired.) Calf gilt by Canapé dated 1908 on the turn-in of the lower board, the boards panelled in gilt, the spine gilt in compartments, gilt morocco lettering-piece in one, gilt board edges and turn-ins, gilt edges (a few scuff-marks, slight superficial cracking on joints).
SECOND EDITION OF COPERNICUS'S 'DECLARATION OF THE HERETICAL NEW HELIOCENTRIC THEORY OF OUR PLANETARY SYSTEM, WHICH REVOLUTIONISED ASTRONOMY ... probably the most important scientific publication of the sixteenth century' (Grolier Science 18b, 1543 edition). De revolutionibus was first published in Nuremberg in 1543; only one other edition--the present--was published in the seventeenth century. The work 'advances the heliocentric hypothesis presenting the sun as the centre of the universe, and with amendments re-states the theory of Ptolemy. Copernicus failed to realize, however, that the orbits of the planets are not circular in their course, but elliptical. He cited the diurnal rotation of the earth (known to Anaximander in the sixth century B.C.) as having a sidewise motion; he encroached upon the realm that theology has assigned to Heaven; and by presenting the sun as the focal point of the planetary system, he contradicted the theological belief that the earth was the centre of God's universe' (Stillwell Awakening 47, 1543 edition). Adams C-2603; Brunet II, col. 257; Houzeau and Lancaster 2503.
Provenance
Partially-erased inscription on title dated '17 Jan 162[...]'.
Alexandri de Pratianis (early inscription on flyleaf).
Early inscription on blank leaf bound in at end.
Anonymous sale; Christie's, London, 16 November 1988, lot 78 (to Dreesmann).
Dr Anton C.R. Dreesmann (inventory no. Y-55).
Alexandri de Pratianis (early inscription on flyleaf).
Early inscription on blank leaf bound in at end.
Anonymous sale; Christie's, London, 16 November 1988, lot 78 (to Dreesmann).
Dr Anton C.R. Dreesmann (inventory no. Y-55).
Special notice
Christie's charges a Buyer's premium calculated at 20.825% of the hammer price for each lot with a value up to €90,000. If the hammer price of a lot exceeds €90,000 then the premium for the lot is calculated at 20.825% of the first €90,000 plus 11.9% of any amount in excess of €90,000. Buyer's Premium is calculated on this basis for each lot individually.